Title

Evolution of Blast Furnace Productivity and Reductant Rates in Western Europe

Evolution of Blast Furnace Productivity and Reductant Rates in Western Europe

Authorship

Khan, Mohammed A.

Khan, Mohammed A.

I am this author

DOI

10.5151/ABM-IRONMAKING-2001-2001204

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Abstract

The paper gives a 10-year overview of the efforts of the steel industry in Western Europe (EU) to enhance its efficiency by improving blast furnace productivity and reductant rates as major factors to reduce costs. As a result of the steel industry's commitment to improving its international competitiveness, the restructuring of the iron and steel industry has been ongoing. Concentration in large production units at only a few sites is therefore a logical consequence. The European story for high productivity went along with a steep increase in oxygen enrichment, even as new large blast furnaces were taken into operation. Oxygen enrichment and injection technology are inseparably linked, providing the opportunity to match operational conditions for low gas volume, favorable coke replacement ratio, high hydrogen input, and optimal flame temperature. Productivities of nearly 83 t/m²·d, total reductant consumption of 422 kg/t HM, coke rates of 265 kg/t HM, and coal injection rates of 211 kg/t HM are not achieved at random. Moreover, these encouraging results highlight the potential for consistent operation. The global approach for such targets requires meeting many requirements, including burden and coke quality, as well as burden distribution, process or hearth conditions control, and high plant availability.

The paper gives a 10-year overview of the efforts of the steel industry in Western Europe (EU) to enhance its efficiency by improving blast furnace productivity and reductant rates as major factors to reduce costs. As a result of the steel industry's commitment to improving its international competitiveness, the restructuring of the iron and steel industry has been ongoing. Concentration in large production units at only a few sites is therefore a logical consequence. The European story for high productivity went along with a steep increase in oxygen enrichment, even as new large blast furnaces were taken into operation. Oxygen enrichment and injection technology are inseparably linked, providing the opportunity to match operational conditions for low gas volume, favorable coke replacement ratio, high hydrogen input, and optimal flame temperature. Productivities of nearly 83 t/m²·d, total reductant consumption of 422 kg/t HM, coke rates of 265 kg/t HM, and coal injection rates of 211 kg/t HM are not achieved at random. Moreover, these encouraging results highlight the potential for consistent operation. The global approach for such targets requires meeting many requirements, including burden and coke quality, as well as burden distribution, process or hearth conditions control, and high plant availability.

Keywords

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